Howling At the Moon and Stars

Two Star Halves

I stayed away from everybody. I still haven't wrapped my head around werewolves. I decided that a day was enough-not really, but I couldn't stay in my room forever. Today was my birthday. I was eighteen. I slowly came down stairs. I started to make some cheesy eggs.

"Cassandra! Happy Birthday!"

Diana came running down the stair and gave me a hug.

"Thank you! Do you want some eggs?"

She nodded her head and I made her a batch. Jerrold came down and I made some for him too. The room was filled with an awkward silence. They both told me happy birthday. There nothing really to talk about.

Annabel and Nick came down shocked that I was out of my room. Annabel walked over to me. I think she was having a metal battle of hugging me or not. I wrapped me arm around her. She been very helpful and given me space. She doesn't deserve me to act like this. She hugs me back. "Happy Birthday Cassandra."

"Thanks." Nick came over and gave me a hug too. I think it's time to reconnect to my family.

"What kind of cake would you like Cassandra?"

"I like strawberry please. If you can."

We played games the whole day. Mike, Matt, Carlos, and Calvin came over with Jake and Lily.

I told Annabel I guess I could talk to my parents today. Jake and Lily are my parents...

Wow... I feel like a bitch...

Jake and Lily stood at the entry of the living room. The vibe of the room got tense fast. Calvin came to sit next to me. Diana sat on the other side.

Maybe this was a mistake. Did they think I was some injured animal? I glanced up at them. I finally see it. I already said that Jake looked like me through a picture, and he still does. Lily looks like me too. Our face shape is the same. I have her long straight brown hair with blond natural highlights.

They finally entered. They sat a crossed from me. "Happy Birthday Cassandra..." My mother, Lily said. Do I call her mom?

I mumble a thanks. Is this how it's supposed to go? For your birthday? For meeting your parents who gave birth to you?

Time seemed to slow down. A second was about a minute long. We moved ourselves to the kitchen table.

"Strawberry. Is that your favorite flavor?" Jack. My dad. Asked.

"I only had vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate so yeah. I guess."

The cake was put in the middle of the table. Plated were set in front of us.

"Cassandra," I look into the eyes that are like mine. "We missed you so much."

I didn't know if I should break down or get upset. I looked back between my parents... My childhood dream is coming true. I didn't know if my voice could be strong enough. I just nodded.

"You actually have two younger brothers. Do you want to meet them?"

I look up at my mother. You couldn't keep me, but you kept my brothers... Thanks for the love...

"Sure, why not?" They all frowned. I stare up into her eyes. Begging her to challenge the tone in my voice.

When I'm mad it's goes bad. Everything goes poor.

"Well, Mike and Matt are your younger brothers."

I look over. I see a bang of pity in there eyes. Did they know about their older sister their whole life? Did our parents comfort them when they finally heard the news about me?

Did they get to have there parents' help when everything went dark? When you got picked on at school? When the first slap came onto their face?

I winced. My head. I didn't say it out loud. I just stood up. "Nice to meet you." And I left the room before I cried.

I cried about the pain in my head. About being neglected. About stupid werewolves.

I can hear them talking down there. Who is going to talk to her? How can we make the rest of my birthday good?

I hear footsteps up stairs. The door opens. I looked away from the window to see Calvin standing there.

"Hey..."

"Hi..." I looked at him. Something was pulling me towards him. Must be the mate thing...

He makes his way towards me. I see hurt in his eyes. Can mates feel each other pain? What is a mate?

I look him square in the eyes. "What's a mate?"

He looked at me shocked. "What?"

I raised an eyebrow. "The night I found out about werewolves. Someone," I didn't mention his name," said I was their mate. So, what's a mate?"

He took a minute to think.

"Do I smell good to you?" He looked at me with pleading eyes. "Be honest."

"Yes, you smell like strawberries and the breeze. What does this have to do with my question?"

He sat down next to me. He grabbed my hand gently and sparks run through. "You feel sparks."

I nodded my head.

"A mate is a soul mate. The Moon Goddess separated them, and placed them on Earth. Their mission is too find each other. The Moon Goddess knew that it would be difficult. She made mates smell amazing towards each other, and when mates touch sparks will form through the contact."

I stare up at him.

A low growl came from his chest. He whispered :

"Mine..."

He pulled me into his lips. His lips are soft and firm. My arms made there way around his neck. His hand was placed on my lower back. The other tangle through my hair. He pulled back and kissed my nose.

"Good. Now I have my scent on you."

I gave him a strange look. He kissed my forehead.

"I'll explain later. Do you want to finish your birthday?"

I nodded my head. He smiled and kissed my nose again. He grabbed my hand and we made our way down the stairs. Hopefully, the last time for tonight. No more parent fights. He pulls me into a hug before letting go of my hand. I walked into the kitchen.